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🇨🇦 Canada · Student visa

Canada Student visa approval odds

A Canada study permit needs a Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution, a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) where required, and proof of funds. Since 2024 a single applicant must show CAD$20,635 for living costs on top of first-year tuition and travel — a figure IRCC adjusts each year. Study-permit refusals have been elevated recently.

Last reviewed August 2026 per our editorial standards. Source: IRCC — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada .

How likely is a student visa to Canada? Officers focus on whether you are a genuine student who can fund and complete the course. A typical applicant sees roughly 62%, and the biggest single lever is admission and funding.

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Your trip

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Key requirements

  • Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
  • Provincial/Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) where required
  • Proof of funds: CAD$20,635 living costs (single) + first-year tuition + travel
  • Evidence of ties and intent to leave at the end of studies
  • Biometrics; medical exam and a GIC may be required

Visa fee (cost)

CAD$150 study permit fee plus CAD$85 biometrics.

Money & funds

CAD$22,895 in living costs for a single applicant (the band in force for applications on or after 1 September 2025, up from CAD$20,635), plus first-year tuition and travel. It rises with family size — CAD$28,502 for two people, CAD$35,040 for three.

Typical timeline

Processing varies by country; the PAL and, in some streams, a Guaranteed Investment Certificate add steps. Check current IRCC study-permit times.

Common refusal reasons

  • Funds insufficient or not credibly sourced
  • Study plan not convincing / not a genuine student
  • Weak ties or dual-intent concerns
  • Missing Provincial Attestation Letter where required
  • Incomplete or inconsistent documents

What actually moves the needle

Admission to an accredited institution

This is the heart of student decisions for Canada. Make it concrete and documented rather than assumed.

Clearly documented funding for tuition and living costs

Officers weigh this alongside everything else — gather clear evidence before you apply.

A credible study plan that fits your background

Officers weigh this alongside everything else — gather clear evidence before you apply.

Avoid the common pitfall

The most frequent reason this route fails is unclear funding or a course that does not fit your profile. Address it directly and you remove the biggest doubt.

Frequently asked questions

How much money do I need for a Canada study permit?

A single applicant must show CAD$20,635 for living costs (2024 baseline, adjusted yearly) plus first-year tuition and travel costs.

What is a PAL and do I need one?

A Provincial Attestation Letter confirms your spot within a province's cap. Most study-permit applicants now need a PAL (or TAL) unless exempt.

Why are Canada study permits being refused more?

Caps and closer scrutiny have raised refusals. The common grounds are unconvincing study plans, funds concerns, and weak ties to home.

Do I need a GIC for a Canada study permit?

Not always, but a Guaranteed Investment Certificate is a common, strong way to prove living-cost funds and is required under the Student Direct Stream's successor streams for some applicants.

Can I work while studying in Canada?

Eligible study-permit holders can work a capped number of hours off campus during terms and full-time during breaks — check the current IRCC rules, which change periodically.

Explore related visa odds

Helpful guides

Why Canada study permits get refused — and how to avoid it → How long does a visa take? US, UK, Canada & Schengen (2026) → How to prove funding for a student visa → How to read visa approval and refusal rates → How to prove strong ties to your home country → How to document your finances for a visa →